On October 16, the Municipality of North Hatley announced in its municipal newsletter that the gate at the public boat launch would be opened once the water temperature reached 10°C.
I quote the Municipality of North Hatley:
| Federal dock and winter period North Hatley |
| As soon as the water temperature reaches 10°C, usually around mid-November, the federal dock barrier will be unlocked to facilitate winter management. It will then be possible to remove boats from the water without first having to wash the trailer. Thank you and have a great end to the season! |
While traffic on the lake drops significantly after mid-October, boats and kayaks continue to enter and exit on nice autumn days. Last season, I personally removed my boat on November 15. It is also worth noting that anglers may continue bass fishing until November 30.
However, the same situation occurs in the spring, when traffic is even higher due to the opening of the fishing season. For over twelve years that I have been launching my boat in North Hatley, I have often been able to do so — like many other anglers — without any questions asked, assisted by a municipal attendant, and without being required to use the washing station, likely because it is not yet operational at that time. Moreover, some of the anglers present were not residents and therefore came from other lakes. Yet, the municipality could be expected to be ready, since the opening date of the fishing season is known several months in advance.
My question is the following: why is boat washing not required in spring and fall on the sole basis that the water temperature is 10°C or lower? I understand that traffic is reduced, but it is not zero. It appears that the launch is being opened without washing in order to simplify operations and reduce operating costs.
My research shows that water temperature is not a reliable indicator of “lower risk.” It should therefore not be used as a justification to skip washing. I invite you to consult the references below, provided by ChatGPT. One thing is clear: operating a staffed washing station is very expensive.
Why 10°C is not a reliable indicator of “lower risk”
- Simply having cold water (10°C) does not guarantee that aquatic organisms cannot survive or be transported on boats. Cold conditions may slow growth or reproduction, but many organisms can survive in cold waters, and even fragments can remain viable.
- The main pathway remains the transportation vector — the boat itself (hull, trailer, equipment), meaning what is brought from one body of water to another, rather than the temperature of the destination water.
- Nowhere in invasive species management guidelines is there a rule stating: “if water temperature < 10°C, then washing is unnecessary.” Best practices still apply.
